Stavanger a ‘lost’ World Cup for Greig

SPEED SKATING: A combination of illness and faulty skates have resulted in a disappointing weekend for Daniel Greig at the second Speed Skating World Cup in Stavanger.

The 26-year-old Sochi Olympian arrived in the Norwegian city hoping to find his top speed in the 1000 metre and 500 metre distances following the first World Cup in Heerenveen the week before.

However, confined to competing only in the 500 metre after falling ill, Greig finished 14th and 20th in his two division B races and is now ranked 41st overall heading into the next World Cup in Calgary at the beginning of December.

“It was a bit of a lost world cup, from a competition point of view,” Greig said.

“Most athletes would not have raced if only from the illness. I decided to look at the races more like training opportunities. I went in knowing I was less than sharp.

“But I am very glad that I did race if only to find out that I had some defective components in my skates. Much better to find out now than in Calgary next week. That one is more important for me.

“Once I am well again I will continue my preparation to that World Cup like I normally would have.”

Coach Desly Hill said that it had been a “terrible weekend” for Greig and that new targets have been set ahead of Calgary.

“When he did race he raced on broken blades (bridge bearings) and did not notice until after the race,” she said.

“So new goals: fix blade, take a deep breath [and] get healthy before the next one.”

Up and coming speed skater Josh Capponi, who had a week off to prepare for Calgary, is on a mission to make a Mass Start final and skate the best 5000m he can, according to Hill.

“He has big goals and is not afraid to go all out for them. It’s a pleasure to watch him tackle that,” she said.

The third Speed Skating World Cup will be held in Calgary, Canada from 1 – 3 December. You can follow the live results at the event website HERE.

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